QUINN, Patrick, Beeville Bee, 5 Oct 1900:
Dies At The Ripe Age of Eighty-two and One-half Years. Was a member of the McGloin Colony
and Came to Texas From Ireland in the Year 1929.
At the ripe age of 83 years, six months and twenty-one days, one of the three surviving members
of the hardy little band of Irish colonists who in 1829 settled in and about San Patricio, Patrick
Quinn passed peacefully away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. B. M. Fleming, about twelve miles
west of Beeville last Sunday afternoon. His life was a part of the history of Texas and he was a witness
to many of the stirring scenes that evolved the state from a wilderness to one of the most important
states of the Union.
The immigration of that little band of Irishmen from Erin’s soil in the early part of the century, and
their settlement on the Nueces and founding of a town which was named after their patron saint,
is a part of Texas history. The incentive that led them to escape British dominion was not that they l
oved Ireland less but liberty more. The hardships they endured as their little ship ploughed the
trackless waste of sea, and the privations they underwent in making homes in a wilderness can
scarcely be appreciated by those who now enjoy the fruits of the seeds of civilization planted by
the pioneers – but they can and should revere their memory. Truly in the death of Patrick Quinn
a link with the past is broken and the incidents of his life which were contemporaneous with the
civilization of Texas become tradition.
Of the personal history of Mr. Quinn much could be written. Reared in or nearby the old town of
San Patricio he was identified with its society and its life. Sometimes working peacefully on his
farm and at others a member of companies of minute men hastily gathered to repel the attached
of Indians or Mexican marauders, he naturally gathered much personal history that if written out
would have made a book. He served both in the Texas revolution and the war between the
United States and Mexico. In the latter he was a member of that famous band of rangers commanded by
Captain Mabry Grey, better known as Mustang Grey. It was therefore befitting that his days should be
ended in comfort and peace.
The funeral occurred at Lebanon church on Monday attended by a large number of friends.
The burial took place under the auspices of the Masonic fraternity, of which he had long been a
zealous member.
Mr. Quinn, though advanced in age, enjoyed unnaturally good health until about two weeks before his death, when he took to his bed. Even then he seemed to suffer no pain, but rather underwent gradual dissolution from old age. The deceased leaves an aged wife and family of eight children, all of whom were with him at the time of his death. He leaves four sons and daughters; Jas. Quinn of Beeville, J. L. Quinn of Portland, Samuel Quinn of Austin, Dolph Quinn, Mrs. B. M. Fleming, Misses Louise, Dovie and Ada Quinn of Cadiz.